Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has made history by becoming the winner of the He 4 She Icon for Africa Award representing Nigeria and the best gender inclusive governor of the year award. A delegation from the Africa Women Impact Summit, disclosed this on November I, while presenting the nomination letter to the Secretary to Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, in Abuja.
Director Policy Development, Africa Women Impact Summit, Hon Adaora Onyechere, said the decision to present the awards to Governor Wike, is sequel to the massive votes he received on their portal.
Noting that the honor is in recognition of the overwhelming support the Nyesom Wike led administration has given to women by making gender inclusiveness central and
deliberately making some political positions exclusively for women in Rivers State.
Her words: Remember that we are going into election period by 2022 and exactly what he did, is one of the benchmark for Global leaders, especially the African Index Commission, to look at how people especially leaders at the State level are increasing women participation in Policies and governance.
“And another thing again that we also want to mention is the fact that outside the fact that his Deputy is a woman, I think that very few States have that advantage.
She observed that his examplary leadership has earned him respect within and outside the Country and several awards, including the recent Sun Governor of the Year award. She said, “You know that when we usually talk about gender mainstreaming, Nigeria is often at the tail bottom because we are only looking at parliamentary inclusion. How many women are elected into parliament.
“No one is really looking at institutions and State Government and Civil Service. So we want to also create another conversation coming from the State level and also from the institutional level. Because one, we are looking at people who are getting women involved politically as well as institutionally. The Judiciary is an institutional body but when we are looking at grassroot development, it is the women at the Councils that matter. So it is a privilege for us, for a Nigerian to win this award. Again, it shoves up our reputation in the rest of Africa. I want to say a big congratulations to that.
Speaking further, she stated that highpoint of the two day event would be the training of over one thousand young girls. This she said is in line with what has taken place in countries like Ghana, Liberia, Poland, United Kingdom and Rwanda, where there are deliberate efforts at Skilling, which is the training of young girls who would pass down the skills acquired.
Adaora stressed that “This is not Political in any way because a lot of people will say, we are winding down the year and getting into a political period. She stated that contrary to that school of thought, the awards are based on Merit in consonance with the theme of the event – “Good governance, good role models and good leadership.”
Earlier, another Director at the Africa Women Impact Summit, Dr utchay Odims (Mabs,fycb), said the award is to appreciate the good works of Governor Wike, and the tremendous support and empowerment women in the state have received.
On his part, Dr. Danagogo expressed gratitude to the Group for the kind gesture and desire to celebrate Governor Wike for his unalloyed support for women. He said: “He does a lot in terms of supporting women. There are several aspects. So, your recognition is not a mistake. I don’t see it as political. There are certain things that come and I say this one is politics. But if you want to call a spade a spade, Governor Wike has done a lot and is still doing so much to see that women are carried along.
“In Rivers State, before now, no woman has been elected into the Senate, but under his watch he ensured that out of the three Senators from Rivers State, one is a woman. And I know how much most of the men who are in the same game with him, criticized him.
He said women naturally have a lot of factors that militate against their ambitions, and tend to stop them. He therefore encouraged men to support women in their political quest by removing imaginary obstacles on their way. He said in an era, where girls are performing exceptionally brilliantly, it is necessary to eliminate societal barriers that will hinder them from reaching their peak.
He stressed that it is not surprising that Governor Wike has given massive support to women, because he has a wife who is forward looking with an impeccable career in legal practice.” His wife is someone who on her own can get to anywhere as long as law, Legal practice and the Bench is concerned. He has his daughter who is also looking forward. So, naturally he is disposed to support women to ensure that they get to their peak,” he noted.
He said, Rivers State today at all the LGA levels, have female vice Chairmen, a female Council Chairman, female Chief Judges and female member of the House of Representatives.
Her Excellency, Joyce Hilda Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi, will be the Special Guest of Honor and keynote Speaker, at the event billed to hold on 18th November, 2021 at sheraton Hotels & Tours, Abuja Nigeria By 6pm
The Africa Women. Impact Summit, AWIS 2021, will harness, validate, and amplify the
contributions of African women and their diaspora counterpart in Africa’s growth, security and prosperity. Additionally, the goals at this summit will be to help expand the African affairs workforce, advance women’s leadership in workplace, and promote the critical role of the diaspora in Africa’s development.
